Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

In This Section

• PO 46 Spray Drift
• PO 47 Particle drift
• PO 48 Spray droplet size
• PO 49 Modes of entry
• PO 50 Chronic & acute poisoning
• PO 51 Acute pesticide poisoning symptoms
• PO 52 Chronic effects of pesticide poisoning
• PO 53 Pesticide contact procedures
• PO 54 Material Safety Data Sheets
• PO 55 Protective gear
• PO 56 Cleanup procedures
• PO 57 Disposal methods
• PO 58 Safe storage
• PO 59 Spill procedures

Competency Area 8: Protecting Humans from Pesticide Exposure

PO 50. Distinguish between chronic and acute poisoning effects.

Acute exposure refers to a one-time contact with a pesticide. When experimental animals are exposed to a pesticide to study its acute toxicity, acute exposure is defined as contact for 24 hours or less. Acute effects can be readily detected and more easily studied than chronic effects. Immediate toxic effects are more likely to be produced by those pesticides that are rapidly absorbed.

Chronic exposure refers to a repeated contact with a pesticide. The study of chronic toxicity is accomplished by repeatedly exposing test animals for more than three months. In addition to producing long-term low-level effects, chronic exposure to pesticides may result in immediate, "acute" effects after each exposure. In other words, frequent exposure to a chemical can produce acute and chronic symptoms. The potential for a chronic effect is related to the level and frequency of exposure received.